Customer Reviews

Reflections from Earth Orbit (Apogee Books Space Series)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well written and to the point, He is a man for all to look up to. He still lives the life, a great and humble man, and a great story teller. He needs to follow up with more writing.

The fact I have the pleasure of knowing personally Winston, (WES to his friends for Winston Elliot Scott.) Does not alter the fact this is a great book with the "inside" on a Boy from Miami who who grew up to to be one of the Countries premier Astronauts. Winston tells a great story and each chapter stands alone. He shares with the reader his thoughts and breath of knowledge of aviation and space . He is truly an aviator, who shares a great deal with the aviation, space and community.

The book is not a book on Winston or his life but rather a compliation of his "reflections" hence the title.

I recommend this book and have purchased copies for all my friends.
Terry Fregly

A real American success story, told with simplicity and kindness by a real American hero. I want everyone I care about to read this book.

"Reflections From Earth Orbit" by Winston E. Scott is a well written true story about Scott's Experiences as a NASA space shuttle astronaut and US Navy test pilot, with reflections back on his child hood and High School years. At one moment the reader feels like he is floating next to Scott in the total weightlessness of space and the next he can feel the struggles of a young black kid growing up in a poor section of Miami, trying to figure out what he wants to do when he grows up.

Unlike many successful people, Scott is very humble and states right from the beginning that "No one can accomplish anything of significance without the help and encouragement of others." He gives his High School band leader Mr. LeDue credit for making a phone call to the right people which insured that he was accepted into FSU after already receiving a rejection letter from the esteemed college. Scott states, "Had Mr. LeDue not made that phone call, I would most likely not have entered the navy, become an aviator, engineer and astronaut."

Reading this book is like sitting down with a friend who happens to be a retired astronaut and listening to him talk about space flight and some key events that led up to his magical life.

B.Z., Captain Scott, B.Z.

I have thorougly enjoyed reading Capt. Scott's book. I think many people are like me in that they have always found Space very intriging, the next frontier. In Capt. Scott's story he takes you on your very own space adventure and you live it through his eyes. I found the mix of his personal story along with all the wonderful Space adventure to be most inspiring. He is truly living the American Dream. He dared to dream when his was a very young man and his dreams led him to the stars. You will not be able to put this book down and when you finish it you will feel like you can do anything to achieve your dreams! I can't wait for his next book!

I finished this book wishing there was a lot more to read - and thinking the book would make an absolutely OUTSTANDING movie! I'm a big fan of NASA and the space program, so I compare Captain Scott's book to Homer Hickam's book "Rocket Boys" (the book that the movie "October Sky" is based on). Both had a dream as young men and found a way to make them come true, both ended up with NASA, but the edge has to go to this book because you really get to see what happens over the course of a lifetime to result in someone actually getting to be an astronaut and fly two missions on the Space Shuttle! It's an incredible look at the experiences that shape a remarkable life. You also come away with a real sense that the most amazing achievements in life are truly the result of following your dreams and constantly making the most of the opportunities you're given. Add confidence, a positive outlook, and enough determination and you just might be able to fulfill your own dreams some day. Awesome book - 5 stars out of 5!

Okay- I have almost all the astronauts biographies and so called auto- biographies.
It is hard to impress me, most of the time they are over the top and you can feel the air whipping thru their scarves. Not true or impressive. But when I opened this 128 page book, my first impression was "Hmmm, thin?"

But upon reading this I was impressed. Captain Scott, who flew twice in space has done a great job -HIMSELF -in writing and telling the story of the contempoary astronaut experience. From building model airplanes and watching 'Sky King' to flying the Navy's F-14 Tomcat, becoming a NASA mission specialist and walking in space,This is a great book.
A quick read, and more importantly- a fun one.
You will enjoy this one.